Timing device



nvmvrox Maurie C/flameon BY ATTORNEYS I mag- W. C. MORROW TIMING DEVICE Filed April 7, 1947 Feb. 17, 1953 Patented Feb. 17, 1953 UNITED STATESFATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to timing equipment and has as one of its objects to provide a device capable of being employed in practically any instance where it is necessary or desirable to keep track of the expiration of predetermined time intervals.

While timing devices embodying the features of this invention have numerous and diversified uses, nevertheless, they find particular utility when employed in the navigation of aircraft. As will be more fully hereinafter explained, a timing device constructed in accordance with this invention enables a pilot to keep accurate check of the actual flying time between any two points along the course of flight so that the aircraft may be navigated with a reasonable degree of accuracy with the aid of a chart of the course and a knowledge of the air speed of the aircraft.

With the above in view, it is an object of this invention to provide a device adapted for use in conjunction with a timepiece of orthodox design to indicate the expiration of a preselected period of time.

A more detailed feature of this invention is to provide a retainer for a conventional type timepiece such, for example, as a watch and having relatively rotatable parts equipped with reference marks positioned for cooperation with one of the hands of the timepiece, usually the minute hand. Thus by relatively adjusting the two parts relative to the timepiece, any specified portion of a sixty minute period may be indicated. This general arrangement is not only highly advantageous for use in the specific application noted above, but lends itself to the numerous other diversified uses, such for example, as assisting in processing foods and the like.

The fore-going as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a plan view of a timing device embodying the features of this invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view showing certain parts of the device removed for the sake of clearness;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-B of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a plan view partly in section of a modified form of construction;

Figure 9 is a sectional View through the construction shown in Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line lili 8 of Figure 8.

Both embodiments of this invention are adapted for use in connection with an orthodox timepiece, such for example, as a watch H having a casing it within which the usual clock mechanism is installed and having a face l3. In accordance with conventional practice, an hour hand M and a minute hand l5 are positioned directly above the face 55% to sweep over the graduations ordinarily applied to the face I 3. The hands are of course connected to the clock mechanism within the casing 12 by suitable shafts, and the spring of the clock mechanism is adapted to be wound by the usual stem [6.

With the above in view, reference is made to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive of the drawing, wherein it will be noted that the numeral ll indicates a retainer formed of any suitable light weight material having the requisite strength, such for example, as metal or plastic. The retainer comprises a base it and a cover IS. The base I8 is cupshaped having a bottom surface and having an annular upstanding wall or flange 2D. A pad 2| of shock-resisting material, such for example, as felt, rubber or the like is secured to the inner surface of the bottom wall of the base I8 centrally of the retainer to provide a seat for the timepiece I I.

The timepiece l l is held in position on the pad 2| by a pair of spring fingers 22 and 23. The finger 22 comprises a length of spring metal having one end 24 riveted or otherwise permanently secured to the inner surface of the flange 20 and having a reversely bent portion extending inwardly from the flange 20. The reversely bent portion is shaped to engage one side of the casing l2, and is formed with a slot or notch 25 for receiving the stem 16 of the timepiece. The finger 23 also comprises a length of spring metal having one end 25 secured to the inner surface of the flange 20 diametrically opposite the end 24 of the finger 22 and having the free end shaped to engage the casing l2 of the timepiece directly opposite the spring finger 24. Thus the timepiece I I is provided with a shockproof mounting in the retainer I1.

The cover 19 is provided with an annular flange 21 adapted to be sleeved over the annular flange or wall 20, and having a lip 28 at the free edge adapted to engage in lot 29 formed in the wall 20 to retain the cover in position on the base 18. The cover is provided with a central opening of sufficient diameter to expose the face 13 of the timepiece and is formed with an annular upstanding hollow rib 33 around the central opening.

An indicating ring 3|, preferably although not necessarily, formed of the same material as the retainer, is supported on the top wall of the rib 30 for rotation and is provided with an inwardly extending flange 32 at the periphery adapted to telescopically engage the radially outer wall 33 of the rib 30. A second indicating ring 33 is rotatably supported on the cover 19 in concentric relation to the ring 3 I. As shown particularly in Figure of the drawings, the second ring 34 is positioned at the top of the ring 3| and is provided with an annular inwardly extending flange 35 adapted to rotatably engage the inner wall 36 of thte rib 3U. Suitable reference marks 3'! and 38 are respectively formed on the rings 31 and 34 in positions to selectively register with the graduations on the face of the timepiece H.

The two rings are frictionally held in assembled relation to the cover by means of a U -shaped spring clip 43 shown in Figure 7 of the drawing as positioned between the Walls of the rib 33 and having the free ends of the leg portions respectively extending through openings 5! in the walls of the rib for respective engagement with the flanges 32 and 33 of the rings. Thus the clip 40 not only friotionally holds the rings in assembled relation on the cover I9, but also functions to resiliently hold the rings in their relative adjusted positions.

For some uses of the device, it may be advantageous to provide for attaching the device to a support. This may be accomplished by a clip 42 having the upper end secured to the bottom wall of the base I8 and having bayonet type slots 43 for receiving fastener elements on any suitable support.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 8 to inclusive difiers principally from the first described form of the invention in the manner in which the timepiece I l is supported in the retainer. As shown particularly in Figure 9, a cup-shaped container 44 formed of a highly resilient material such, for example, as sponge rubber is secured to the inner surface of the base is formed with a recess 45 in one wall for accom modating the steam N5 of the timepiece. Thus the timepiece is protected against shock and is held firmly in position in the container without the necessity of providing the spring fingers previously described. With the above exceptions the construction of the device shown in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive may be the same as the construction of the device shown in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, and corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals.

Although it will be understood from the foregoing that the timing devices illustrated may be used in practically any instance where it is necessary or desirable to keep track of the expiration of predetermined time intervals, nevertheless, one particularly advantageous application is in the navigation of aircraft. pose of this description that the point of destination of an aircraft is two hundred miles from the point of take-off, the navigator or operator selects a map of the area and draws a straight line from the point of take-off to the point of Assuming for the purdestination. The lin thus drawn is then divided into twenty equal parts, so that the distance between adjacent divisions represents a ten mile leg. The outer ring 3| of the timing device is then adjusted or rotated to a position wherein the mark 3'! registers with the minute hand 15 of the timepiece at the instant the flight is started, and the inner ring 34 is rotated to locate the marker 38 in a position to indicate the estimated time required to travel the length of the first leg, or in other words, ten miles. In arriving at this estimate, the operator is not familiar with the velocity of the air or the direction of the air in the zone of flight, and is therefore, forced to base the estimate solely on the cruising speed of the aircraft. For example, if it is assumed that five minutes will be required to traverse the first leg of the journey, the inner ring 33 is adjusted with its marker 38 positioned five minutes in advance of the marker 31. During the first leg of flight the pilot is usually over familiar territory and observes the landmarks along the line of flight. When the aircraft is directly over the landmark corresponding to the end of the first leg of flight on the map, the timepiece is also observed and the setting of the inner ring is corrected to compensate for air velocity or other conditions which may have altered the estimated cruising speed of the aircraft.

Assuming that strong winds are countered and that ten minutes were required to complete the first leg of the journey instead of five minutes as originally calculated, the inner ring is relatively adjusted so that the marker 33 on the inner ring is ten minutes in advance of the marker 3? on the outer ring. Thus at the expiration of the next ten minutes of flight, the aircraft should be in a position above the second leg of the journey. Thus the pilot has a reasonably accurate check on his position at all times throughout the flight.

The outer ring 3! is set at the start of the flight, and is not changed until a lending is effected. Thus it is used as a constant reference to the total elapsed time in the air. After several points have been crossed, it often happens that there is some confusion in the pilots mind as to just which point is next. Knowing the ground speed as COl'Ilputed on the first leg and verified on each succeeding leg, it is only necessary to refer to the total elapsed time as shown by the mark 3'1", and divide by the time required for each leg. In this way he can definitely establish his position on his chart. Also the fuel consumption is determined by hours or" flying rather than distance covered, and it is of the utmost importance on long flights that total time of flight be constantly evident.

Mounted on the instrument panel directly in the line of vision and convenient to reach, this instrument eliminates the need for keeping notes (very diificult when flying a small type aircraft) and working with a wrist type Watch.

Wha I claim as my invention is:

i. A device of the class described comprising a cup-shaped retainer adapted to hold a timepiece with the face thereof visible through the open end of the retainer, a pad of shock resisting material forming a seat for the timepiece, Spring arms engageable with the timepiece to hold the lat ter inseating engagementwith the pad,a ringsupported on the retainer for rotation, a second ring supported for rotation relative to the first ring about the of rotation of the latter ring and having a central opening through which the f of the timepiece is visible, and reference marks on the rings adapted to selectively register with the graduations on the face of the timepiece.

2. A device of the class described comprising a cup-shaped retainer adapted to hold a time piece with the face thereof visible through the open end of the retainer, a removable cover for the retainer having a central opening, a ring supported on the cover for rotation, a second ring supported on the cover in concentric relation to the first ring for rotation relative to the latter and having an opening therethrough exposing the face of the timepiece, a spring carried by said cover and frictionally engageable with both of said rings for holding the latter in assembled relation to the cover, and reference marks on the rings adapted to selectively register with the graduations on the face of the timepiece.

3. A device of the class described comprising a cup-like base member, a removable cover member for said base member, said cover member having a central opening therein, mean in one of said members for mounting a watch with its face exposed through the opening in said cover member, said means comprising a pair of spring arms disposed diametrically in said base member, one of said arms having a transverse notch therein for receiving the stem of the watch, the other arm being curved transversely to interflt with the edge of the watch opposite to the stem,

4. A device of the class described comprising a cup-like base member, a removable cover member for said base member, said cover member having a central opening therein, means in one of said members for mounting a watch with its face exposed through the opening in said cover member, said cover member having a forwardly projecting annular mounting flange surrounding the opening, an outer rotatable indicating ring having a rearwardly extending annular flange engaging the outer surface of said mounting flange, an inner rotatable indicating ring having a rearwardly extending annular flange engaging the inner surface of said mounting flange, and indicia on said rings for indicating starting or predicted positions of the hands of the watch, said mounting flange having radially spaced inner and outer walls, said walls having openings therethrough, and spring means located in the space between said walls, said spring means having portions extending through said openings in frictional contact with the rearwardly extending flanges on said rings.

WALKER C. MORROW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

